What is the Benefit of Buying Insurance Through an Agent ?

squeed · 03-23-2009, 10:23 PM

With so many companies marketing insurance directly to the consumer and bypassing the agent, what is the benefit from the consumers point of view of buying from an agent ?

-S

CHUMPS FROM OXFORD · 03-23-2009, 10:26 PM

Because it doesn't cost more, free advice, free service and unbiased (most of the time) opinions.

And often, if an existing condition exists, the agent may have some insight on which company offers the best rate for that condition.

souldeux · 03-23-2009, 11:13 PM

Can I just cheat and post a link to an article I wrote?

Why You Should Use an Independent Agent | Georgia Insurance Options

TRK3031962 · 03-23-2009, 11:19 PM

Originally Posted by souldeux

Can I just cheat and post a link to an article I wrote?

Why You Should Use an Independent Agent | Georgia Insurance Options

Cheater!!

souldeux · 03-23-2009, 11:30 PM

And for the record, I buy shared leads. That article, of course, is slightly skewed towards trying to get folks to read it and then fill out a quote form on my website. I don't think all of us lead buying folk are truly all that evil

SoCalBroker · 03-23-2009, 11:38 PM

Because pretending to be one on TV could cost you everything?

Because 90% of the time you dont know WTF your doing?

I know - lets negotiate a software technology co's E&O insurance terms with a freakin Lizard or a website form or a $18 hr high school dropout on the end of an 800 # - LOL.

High Im bob - the cfo of this $27 M revenue co that employs 19 people and operates in 4 countries. I just saved 15% [ or so I think ] on my business insurance! Products liability and recall coverage? Huh? Claims Made form - what the ....? Retro Inception Date what? Pre-Negotiated ERP ....? Duty to Defend vs. Pay on Behalf? Employee Benefits E&O? D&O ...

StrategyMan · 03-24-2009, 01:58 AM

If you are in perfect health, and a young person, I suppose that you could do just fine without an agent. However if you have less than perfect health, then you could end up saving hundreds of dollars a year by working with a knowledgeable agent who knows the ins and outs of underwriting practices for each company.

Portland Life Insurance, Portland Car Insurance, Portland Health Insurance

bobson · 03-24-2009, 10:56 AM

There isn't any benefit. Ask Flo from the Progressive commercials. You can save 10% by buying on the internet. Insurance is a commodity like grapes, corn, or gasoline.

moonlightandmargaritas · 03-24-2009, 11:06 AM

Originally Posted by bobson

Insurance is a commodity like grapes, corn, or gasoline.

It is if the customer perceives that it is.

Newby · 03-24-2009, 11:13 AM

If a consumer is pretty clueless he/she can just sign up for a plan based on advertisements they see and usually they will be pretty content.

But if they are smart, they will want to research all their options and understand what they are doing. In order to do this effectively, they would need to spend hours and hours of their life gathering the information, studying it and then make spreadsheets or some way of doing comparisons.

Or, they can call an agent who can quickly show them the differences in the companies, and help the consumer with a level of expertise. The smart consumer will then VERIFY the information the agent has recommended. Provided the agent is a good one, he is worth the cost for his work (which is free.) If he's a bad one he's not even worth that.

From what I've seen, people who buy without an agent are NOT getting their best options OR the best price.